diff --git a/build/tasks/docs-task.coffee b/build/tasks/docs-task.coffee
index 42856f8ee..413c219f7 100644
--- a/build/tasks/docs-task.coffee
+++ b/build/tasks/docs-task.coffee
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ module.exports = (grunt) ->
 
   grunt.registerTask 'build-docs', 'Builds the API docs in src/app', ->
     done = @async()
-    args = [commonArgs..., '--title', 'Atom API Documentation', '-o', 'docs/output/api', 'src/', '../telepath/src/range.coffee', '../telepath/src/point.coffee', '../telepath/src/string-marker.coffee']
+    args = [commonArgs..., '--title', 'Atom API Documentation', '-o', 'docs/output/api', 'src/', '../text-buffer/src/range.coffee', '../text-buffer/src/point.coffee', '../text-buffer/src/marker.coffee']
     grunt.util.spawn({cmd, args, opts}, done)
 
   grunt.registerTask 'lint-docs', 'Generate stats about the doc coverage', ->
diff --git a/exports/atom.coffee b/exports/atom.coffee
index 1b1927737..c5a7ffb63 100644
--- a/exports/atom.coffee
+++ b/exports/atom.coffee
@@ -1,16 +1,13 @@
-{TelepathicObject, Model, Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 
 module.exports =
   _: require 'underscore-plus'
   BufferedNodeProcess: require '../src/buffered-node-process'
   BufferedProcess: require '../src/buffered-process'
   Directory: require '../src/directory'
-  TelepathicObject: TelepathicObject
-  Document: TelepathicObject # Deprecated Shim
   File: require '../src/file'
   fs: require 'fs-plus'
   Git: require '../src/git'
-  Model: Model
   Point: Point
   Range: Range
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 75e017771..39cfb8250 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
     "mkdirp": "0.3.5",
     "keytar": "0.13.0",
     "less-cache": "0.10.0",
+    "serializable": "0.1.0",
     "nslog": "0.1.0",
     "oniguruma": "0.24.0",
     "optimist": "0.4.0",
@@ -47,9 +48,10 @@
     "season": "0.14.0",
     "semver": "1.1.4",
     "space-pen": "2.0.2",
-    "telepath": "0.81.0",
     "temp": "0.5.0",
-    "underscore-plus": "0.6.1"
+    "text-buffer": "0.6.0",
+    "underscore-plus": "0.6.1",
+    "theorist": "~0.7.0"
   },
   "packageDependencies": {
     "atom-dark-syntax": "0.10.0",
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@
     "base16-tomorrow-dark-theme": "0.8.0",
     "solarized-dark-syntax": "0.6.0",
     "solarized-light-syntax": "0.2.0",
-    "archive-view": "0.17.0",
+    "archive-view": "0.18.0",
     "autocomplete": "0.19.0",
     "autoflow": "0.11.0",
     "autosave": "0.10.0",
@@ -79,14 +81,14 @@
     "github-sign-in": "0.15.0",
     "go-to-line": "0.12.0",
     "grammar-selector": "0.15.0",
-    "image-view": "0.11.0",
+    "image-view": "0.14.0",
     "keybinding-resolver": "0.8.0",
     "link": "0.11.0",
     "markdown-preview": "0.22.0",
     "metrics": "0.20.0",
     "package-generator": "0.23.0",
     "release-notes": "0.15.0",
-    "settings-view": "0.52.0",
+    "settings-view": "0.54.0",
     "snippets": "0.17.0",
     "spell-check": "0.18.0",
     "status-bar": "0.29.0",
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@
     "terminal": "0.23.0",
     "timecop": "0.11.0",
     "to-the-hubs": "0.16.0",
-    "tree-view": "0.53.0",
+    "tree-view": "0.56.0",
     "visual-bell": "0.6.0",
     "welcome": "0.4.0",
     "whitespace": "0.10.0",
diff --git a/spec/display-buffer-spec.coffee b/spec/display-buffer-spec.coffee
index caed9092b..e85a05049 100644
--- a/spec/display-buffer-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/display-buffer-spec.coffee
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ describe "DisplayBuffer", ->
     tabLength = 2
     atom.packages.activatePackage('language-javascript', sync: true)
     buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-    displayBuffer = atom.create(new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength}))
+    displayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength})
     changeHandler = jasmine.createSpy 'changeHandler'
     displayBuffer.on 'changed', changeHandler
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ describe "DisplayBuffer", ->
       describe "when a newline is inserted, deleted, and re-inserted at the end of a wrapped line (regression)", ->
         it "correctly renders the original wrapped line", ->
           buffer = atom.project.buildBufferSync(null, '')
-          displayBuffer = atom.create(new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength, editorWidthInChars: 30, softWrap: true}))
+          displayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength, editorWidthInChars: 30, softWrap: true})
 
           buffer.insert([0, 0], "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.")
           buffer.insert([0, Infinity], '\n')
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ describe "DisplayBuffer", ->
       displayBuffer.destroy()
       buffer.release()
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('two-hundred.txt')
-      displayBuffer = atom.create(new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength}))
+      displayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength})
       displayBuffer.on 'changed', changeHandler
 
     describe "when folds are created and destroyed", ->
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ describe "DisplayBuffer", ->
 
       describe "when there is another display buffer pointing to the same buffer", ->
         it "does not create folds in the other display buffer", ->
-          otherDisplayBuffer = atom.create(new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength}))
+          otherDisplayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength})
           displayBuffer.createFold(2, 4)
           expect(otherDisplayBuffer.foldsStartingAtBufferRow(2).length).toBe 0
 
diff --git a/spec/editor-spec.coffee b/spec/editor-spec.coffee
index 0a93eb91b..821c9becb 100644
--- a/spec/editor-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/editor-spec.coffee
@@ -28,10 +28,7 @@ describe "Editor", ->
         editor.foldBufferRow(4)
         expect(editor.isFoldedAtBufferRow(4)).toBeTruthy()
 
-        # Simulate serialization with replicate
-        editor2 = editor.testPersistence()
-        # FIXME: The created hook is called manually on deserialization because globals aren't ready otherwise
-        editor2.created()
+        editor2 = editor.testSerialization()
 
         expect(editor2.id).toBe editor.id
         expect(editor2.getBuffer().getPath()).toBe editor.getBuffer().getPath()
diff --git a/spec/git-spec.coffee b/spec/git-spec.coffee
index c6ef5dde2..50e5f5cce 100644
--- a/spec/git-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/git-spec.coffee
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ describe "Git", ->
 
     it "subscribes to all the serialized buffers in the project", ->
       atom.project.openSync('sample.js')
-      project2 = atom.project.testPersistence()
+      project2 = atom.project.testSerialization()
       buffer = project2.getBuffers()[0]
 
       waitsFor ->
diff --git a/spec/pane-spec.coffee b/spec/pane-spec.coffee
index 540603bf5..6851bb8f4 100644
--- a/spec/pane-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/pane-spec.coffee
@@ -677,12 +677,12 @@ describe "Pane", ->
 
   describe "serialization", ->
     it "can serialize and deserialize the pane and all its items", ->
-      newPane = atom.deserializers.deserialize(pane.serialize().testPersistence())
+      newPane = pane.testSerialization()
       expect(newPane.getItems()).toEqual [view1, editor1, view2, editor2]
 
     it "restores the active item on deserialization", ->
       pane.showItem(editor2)
-      newPane = atom.deserializers.deserialize(pane.serialize().testPersistence())
+      newPane = pane.testSerialization()
       expect(newPane.activeItem).toEqual editor2
 
     it "does not show items that cannot be deserialized", ->
@@ -693,8 +693,7 @@ describe "Pane", ->
 
       pane.showItem(new Unserializable)
 
-      state = pane.serialize().testPersistence()
-      newPane = atom.deserializers.deserialize(state)
+      newPane = pane.testSerialization()
       expect(newPane.activeItem).toEqual pane.items[0]
       expect(newPane.items.length).toBe pane.items.length - 1
 
@@ -702,13 +701,13 @@ describe "Pane", ->
       container.attachToDom()
       pane.focus()
 
-      container2 = atom.deserializers.deserialize(container.serialize().testPersistence())
+      container2 = container.testSerialization()
       pane2 = container2.getRoot()
       container2.attachToDom()
       expect(pane2).toMatchSelector(':has(:focus)')
 
       $(document.activeElement).blur()
-      container3 = atom.deserializers.deserialize(container.serialize().testPersistence())
+      container3 = container.testSerialization()
       pane3 = container3.getRoot()
       container3.attachToDom()
       expect(pane3).not.toMatchSelector(':has(:focus)')
diff --git a/spec/project-spec.coffee b/spec/project-spec.coffee
index 36de21747..1ac76e204 100644
--- a/spec/project-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/project-spec.coffee
@@ -16,21 +16,17 @@ describe "Project", ->
     afterEach ->
       deserializedProject?.destroy()
 
-    it "destroys unretained buffers and does not include them in the serialized state", ->
+    it "does not include unretained buffers in the serialized state", ->
       atom.project.bufferForPathSync('a')
       expect(atom.project.getBuffers().length).toBe 1
 
-      atom.project.getState().serializeForPersistence()
-      deserializedProject = atom.project.testPersistence()
-
+      deserializedProject = atom.project.testSerialization()
       expect(deserializedProject.getBuffers().length).toBe 0
-      expect(atom.project.getBuffers().length).toBe 0
 
     it "listens for destroyed events on deserialized buffers and removes them when they are destroyed", ->
       atom.project.openSync('a')
       expect(atom.project.getBuffers().length).toBe 1
-      atom.project.getState().serializeForPersistence()
-      deserializedProject = atom.project.testPersistence()
+      deserializedProject = atom.project.testSerialization()
 
       expect(deserializedProject.getBuffers().length).toBe 1
       deserializedProject.getBuffers()[0].destroy()
diff --git a/spec/selection-spec.coffee b/spec/selection-spec.coffee
index cc6f26597..a9290c5e1 100644
--- a/spec/selection-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/selection-spec.coffee
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ describe "Selection", ->
 
   beforeEach ->
     buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-    editor = atom.create(new Editor(buffer: buffer, tabLength: 2))
+    editor = new Editor(buffer: buffer, tabLength: 2)
     selection = editor.getSelection()
 
   afterEach ->
diff --git a/spec/spec-helper.coffee b/spec/spec-helper.coffee
index 59766b88d..9c672e7a9 100644
--- a/spec/spec-helper.coffee
+++ b/spec/spec-helper.coffee
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ path = require 'path'
 {_, $, File, WorkspaceView, fs} = require 'atom'
 Keymap = require '../src/keymap'
 Config = require '../src/config'
-{Point} = require 'telepath'
+{Point} = require 'text-buffer'
 Project = require '../src/project'
 Editor = require '../src/editor'
 EditorView = require '../src/editor-view'
@@ -107,15 +107,14 @@ afterEach ->
 
   atom.workspaceView?.remove?()
   atom.workspaceView = null
-  atom.state.remove('workspaceView')
+  delete atom.state.workspaceView
 
   atom.project?.destroy?()
   atom.project = null
 
-  atom.state.remove('packageStates')
+  delete atom.state.packageStates
 
   $('#jasmine-content').empty() unless window.debugContent
-  atom.destroyOrphans()
 
   jasmine.unspy(atom, 'saveSync')
   ensureNoPathSubscriptions()
diff --git a/spec/text-buffer-spec.coffee b/spec/text-buffer-spec.coffee
index 502c1af39..7f26c663b 100644
--- a/spec/text-buffer-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/text-buffer-spec.coffee
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 {_, fs} = require 'atom'
 path = require 'path'
 temp = require 'temp'
-{Site} = require 'telepath'
 TextBuffer = require '../src/text-buffer'
 
 describe 'TextBuffer', ->
@@ -971,7 +970,7 @@ describe 'TextBuffer', ->
             expect(buffer.getText()).toBe "\ninitialtexthello\n1\n2\n"
 
   describe "serialization", ->
-    [buffer2, project2] = []
+    buffer2 = null
 
     beforeEach ->
       buffer.destroy()
@@ -981,13 +980,12 @@ describe 'TextBuffer', ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync(filePath).retain()
 
     afterEach ->
-      buffer2?.release()
-      project2?.destroy()
+      buffer2?.destroy()
 
     describe "when the serialized buffer had no unsaved changes", ->
       it "loads the current contents of the file at the serialized path", ->
         expect(buffer.isModified()).toBeFalsy()
-        buffer2 = buffer.testPersistence()
+        buffer2 = buffer.testSerialization()
 
         waitsForPromise ->
           buffer2.load()
@@ -1003,8 +1001,7 @@ describe 'TextBuffer', ->
           buffer.setText("BUFFER CHANGE")
           fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "DISK CHANGE")
 
-          project2 = atom.project.testPersistence()
-          buffer2 = project2.getBuffers()[0]
+          buffer2 = buffer.testSerialization()
 
           waitsFor ->
             buffer2.cachedDiskContents
@@ -1020,9 +1017,7 @@ describe 'TextBuffer', ->
           buffer.setText("abc")
           buffer.retain()
 
-          buffer.getState().serializeForPersistence()
-          project2 = atom.project.testPersistence()
-          buffer2 = project2.getBuffers()[0]
+          buffer2 = buffer.testSerialization()
 
           waitsForPromise ->
             buffer2.load()
@@ -1036,15 +1031,11 @@ describe 'TextBuffer', ->
 
     describe "when the serialized buffer was unsaved and had no path", ->
       it "restores the previous unsaved state of the buffer", ->
-        buffer.release()
+        buffer.destroy()
 
         buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync()
         buffer.setText("abc")
 
-        state = buffer.getState().clone()
-        expect(state.get('path')).toBeUndefined()
-        expect(state.getObject('text')).toBe 'abc'
-
-        buffer2 = atom.project.addBuffer(new TextBuffer(state))
+        buffer2 = buffer.testSerialization()
         expect(buffer2.getPath()).toBeUndefined()
         expect(buffer2.getText()).toBe("abc")
diff --git a/spec/tokenized-buffer-spec.coffee b/spec/tokenized-buffer-spec.coffee
index 654205c0e..a9df78a56 100644
--- a/spec/tokenized-buffer-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/tokenized-buffer-spec.coffee
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
   describe "when the buffer is destroyed", ->
     beforeEach ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       startTokenizing(tokenizedBuffer)
 
     it "stops tokenization", ->
-      tokenizedBuffer.state.destroy()
+      tokenizedBuffer.destroy()
       spyOn(tokenizedBuffer, 'tokenizeNextChunk')
       advanceClock()
       expect(tokenizedBuffer.tokenizeNextChunk).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
   describe "when the buffer contains soft-tabs", ->
     beforeEach ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       startTokenizing(tokenizedBuffer)
       tokenizedBuffer.on "changed", changeHandler = jasmine.createSpy('changeHandler')
 
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
     beforeEach ->
       atom.packages.activatePackage('language-coffee-script', sync: true)
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample-with-tabs.coffee')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       startTokenizing(tokenizedBuffer)
 
     afterEach ->
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
         'abc\uD835\uDF97def'
         //\uD835\uDF97xyz
       """
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       fullyTokenize(tokenizedBuffer)
 
     afterEach ->
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
 
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync()
       buffer.setText "<div class='name'><%= User.find(2).full_name %></div>"
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       tokenizedBuffer.setGrammar(atom.syntax.selectGrammar('test.erb'))
       fullyTokenize(tokenizedBuffer)
 
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
 
     it "returns the correct token (regression)", ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       fullyTokenize(tokenizedBuffer)
       expect(tokenizedBuffer.tokenForPosition([1,0]).scopes).toEqual ["source.js"]
       expect(tokenizedBuffer.tokenForPosition([1,1]).scopes).toEqual ["source.js"]
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
   describe ".bufferRangeForScopeAtPosition(selector, position)", ->
     beforeEach ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       fullyTokenize(tokenizedBuffer)
 
     describe "when the selector does not match the token at the position", ->
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ describe "TokenizedBuffer", ->
     it "updates the tab length of the tokenized lines", ->
       buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync('sample.js')
       buffer.setText('\ttest')
-      tokenizedBuffer = atom.create(new TokenizedBuffer({buffer}))
+      tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({buffer})
       fullyTokenize(tokenizedBuffer)
       expect(tokenizedBuffer.tokenForPosition([0,0]).value).toBe '  '
       atom.config.set('editor.tabLength', 6)
diff --git a/spec/window-spec.coffee b/spec/window-spec.coffee
index de01bf375..53f992555 100644
--- a/spec/window-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/window-spec.coffee
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ describe "Window", ->
 
       atom.unloadEditorWindow()
 
-      expect(atom.state.getObject('workspaceView')).toEqual workspaceViewState.toObject()
-      expect(atom.state.getObject('syntax')).toEqual syntaxState
+      expect(atom.state.workspaceView).toEqual workspaceViewState
+      expect(atom.state.syntax).toEqual syntaxState
       expect(atom.saveSync).toHaveBeenCalled()
 
     it "unsubscribes from all buffers", ->
diff --git a/spec/workspace-view-spec.coffee b/spec/workspace-view-spec.coffee
index 9a1f75297..216466aee 100644
--- a/spec/workspace-view-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/workspace-view-spec.coffee
@@ -19,9 +19,11 @@ describe "WorkspaceView", ->
     viewState = null
 
     simulateReload = ->
-      state = atom.workspaceView.serialize().testPersistence()
+      workspaceState = atom.workspaceView.serialize()
+      projectState = atom.project.serialize()
       atom.workspaceView.remove()
-      atom.workspaceView = WorkspaceView.deserialize(state)
+      atom.project = atom.deserializers.deserialize(projectState)
+      atom.workspaceView = WorkspaceView.deserialize(workspaceState)
       atom.workspaceView.attachToDom()
 
     describe "when the serialized WorkspaceView has an unsaved buffer", ->
diff --git a/src/atom.coffee b/src/atom.coffee
index 8a7b005d2..9ddc4dfd8 100644
--- a/src/atom.coffee
+++ b/src/atom.coffee
@@ -9,12 +9,10 @@ dialog = remote.require 'dialog'
 app = remote.require 'app'
 
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
-telepath = require 'telepath'
-{Model} = telepath
+{Model} = require 'theorist'
 fs = require 'fs-plus'
 
 {$} = require './space-pen-extensions'
-SiteShim = require './site-shim'
 WindowEventHandler = require './window-event-handler'
 
 # Public: Atom global for dealing with packages, themes, menus, and the window.
@@ -35,6 +33,8 @@ WindowEventHandler = require './window-event-handler'
 #  * `atom.themes`      - A {ThemeManager} instance
 module.exports =
 class Atom extends Model
+  @version: 1
+
   # Public: Load or create the Atom environment in the given mode
   #
   # - mode: Pass 'editor' or 'spec' depending on the kind of environment you
@@ -42,28 +42,27 @@ class Atom extends Model
   #
   # Returns an Atom instance, fully initialized
   @loadOrCreate: (mode) ->
-    telepath.devMode = not @isReleasedVersion()
+    @deserialize(@loadState(mode)) ? new this({mode, @version})
 
-    if documentState = @loadDocumentState(mode)
-      environment = @deserialize(documentState)
-
-    environment ? @createAsRoot({mode})
+  # Private: Deserializes the Atom environment from a state object
+  @deserialize: (state) ->
+    new this(state) if state?.version is @version
 
   # Private: Loads and returns the serialized state corresponding to this window
   # if it exists; otherwise returns undefined.
-  @loadDocumentState: (mode) ->
+  @loadState: (mode) ->
     statePath = @getStatePath(mode)
 
     if fs.existsSync(statePath)
       try
-        documentStateString = fs.readFileSync(statePath, 'utf8')
+        stateString = fs.readFileSync(statePath, 'utf8')
       catch error
         console.warn "Error reading window state: #{statePath}", error.stack, error
     else
-      documentStateString = @getLoadSettings().windowState
+      stateString = @getLoadSettings().windowState
 
     try
-      JSON.parse(documentStateString) if documentStateString?
+      JSON.parse(stateString) if stateString?
     catch error
       console.warn "Error parsing window state: #{statePath} #{error.stack}", error
 
@@ -112,14 +111,11 @@ class Atom extends Model
   @isReleasedVersion: ->
     not /\w{7}/.test(@getVersion()) # Check if the release is a 7-character SHA prefix
 
-  @properties
-    mode: null
-    project: null
-
   workspaceViewParentSelector: 'body'
 
-  # Private: Called by telepath. I'd like this to be merged with initialize eventually.
-  created: ->
+  # Private: Call .loadOrCreate instead
+  constructor: (@state) ->
+    {@mode} = @state
     DeserializerManager = require './deserializer-manager'
     @deserializers = new DeserializerManager(this)
 
@@ -150,8 +146,7 @@ class Atom extends Model
     @contextMenu = new ContextMenuManager(devMode)
     @menu = new MenuManager({resourcePath})
     @pasteboard = new Pasteboard()
-    @syntax = @deserializers.deserialize(@state.get('syntax')) ? new Syntax()
-    @site = new SiteShim(this)
+    @syntax = @deserializers.deserialize(@state.syntax) ? new Syntax()
 
     @subscribe @packages, 'activated', => @watchThemes()
 
@@ -160,11 +155,15 @@ class Atom extends Model
     TokenizedBuffer = require './tokenized-buffer'
     DisplayBuffer = require './display-buffer'
     Editor = require './editor'
-    @registerRepresentationClasses(Project, TextBuffer, TokenizedBuffer, DisplayBuffer, Editor)
-    @createRepresentations()
 
     @windowEventHandler = new WindowEventHandler
 
+  # Deprecated: Callers should be converted to use atom.deserializers
+  registerRepresentationClass: ->
+
+  # Deprecated: Callers should be converted to use atom.deserializers
+  registerRepresentationClasses: ->
+
   # Private:
   setBodyPlatformClass: ->
     document.body.classList.add("platform-#{process.platform}")
@@ -204,7 +203,7 @@ class Atom extends Model
 
   # Private:
   restoreWindowDimensions: ->
-    windowDimensions = @state.getObject('windowDimensions') ? {}
+    windowDimensions = @state.windowDimensions ? {}
     {initialSize} = @getLoadSettings()
     windowDimensions.height ?= initialSize?.height ? global.screen.availHeight
     windowDimensions.width ?= initialSize?.width ? Math.min(global.screen.availWidth, 1024)
@@ -212,7 +211,7 @@ class Atom extends Model
 
   # Private:
   storeWindowDimensions: ->
-    @state.set('windowDimensions', @getWindowDimensions())
+    @state.windowDimensions = @getWindowDimensions()
 
   # Public: Get the load settings for the current window.
   #
@@ -223,21 +222,18 @@ class Atom extends Model
   # Private:
   deserializeProject: ->
     Project = require './project'
-    @project ?= new Project(path: @getLoadSettings().initialPath)
+    @project ?= @deserializers.deserialize(@project) ? new Project(path: @getLoadSettings().initialPath)
 
   # Private:
   deserializeWorkspaceView: ->
     WorkspaceView = require './workspace-view'
-    @workspaceView = @deserializers.deserialize(@state.get('workspaceView'))
-    unless @workspaceView?
-      @workspaceView = new WorkspaceView()
-      @state.set('workspaceView', @workspaceView.getState())
+    @workspaceView = @deserializers.deserialize(@state.workspaceView) ? new WorkspaceView
     $(@workspaceViewParentSelector).append(@workspaceView)
 
   # Private:
   deserializePackageStates: ->
-    @packages.packageStates = @state.getObject('packageStates') ? {}
-    @state.remove('packageStates')
+    @packages.packageStates = @state.packageStates ? {}
+    delete @state.packageStates
 
   # Private:
   deserializeEditorWindow: ->
@@ -259,7 +255,6 @@ class Atom extends Model
     @keymap.loadBundledKeymaps()
     @themes.loadBaseStylesheets()
     @packages.loadPackages()
-    @createRepresentations()
     @deserializeEditorWindow()
     @packages.activate()
     @keymap.loadUserKeymap()
@@ -277,10 +272,10 @@ class Atom extends Model
   unloadEditorWindow: ->
     return if not @project and not @workspaceView
 
-    @state.set('syntax', @syntax.serialize())
-    @state.set('workspaceView', @workspaceView.serialize())
+    @state.syntax = @syntax.serialize()
+    @state.workspaceView = @workspaceView.serialize()
     @packages.deactivatePackages()
-    @state.set('packageStates', @packages.packageStates)
+    @state.packageStates = @packages.packageStates
     @saveSync()
     @workspaceView.remove()
     @workspaceView = null
@@ -393,7 +388,7 @@ class Atom extends Model
     setImmediate =>
       @show()
       @focus()
-      @setFullScreen(true) if @workspaceView.getState().get('fullScreen')
+      @setFullScreen(true) if @workspaceView.fullScreen
 
   # Public: Close the current window.
   close: ->
@@ -449,11 +444,11 @@ class Atom extends Model
 
   # Private:
   saveSync: ->
+    stateString = JSON.stringify(@state)
     if statePath = @constructor.getStatePath(@mode)
-      super(statePath)
+      fs.writeFileSync(statePath, stateString, 'utf8')
     else
-      @getCurrentWindow().loadSettings.windowState = JSON.stringify(@serializeForPersistence())
-
+      @getCurrentWindow().loadSettings.windowState = stateString
 
   # Public: Get the time taken to completely load the current window.
   #
diff --git a/src/cursor-view.coffee b/src/cursor-view.coffee
index 1af9e2204..5a5bff89f 100644
--- a/src/cursor-view.coffee
+++ b/src/cursor-view.coffee
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {View} = require './space-pen-extensions'
-{Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 
 ### Internal ###
@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ class CursorView extends View
     @cursor.on 'destroyed.cursor-view', =>
       @needsRemoval = true
 
-    if @cursor.marker.isRemote()
-      @addClass("site-#{@cursor.marker.getOriginSiteId()}")
-
   beforeRemove: ->
     @editorView.removeCursorView(this)
     @cursor.off('.cursor-view')
diff --git a/src/cursor.coffee b/src/cursor.coffee
index 718d260b1..daf91e4dc 100644
--- a/src/cursor.coffee
+++ b/src/cursor.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 {Emitter} = require 'emissary'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 # where text can be inserted.
 #
 # Cursors belong to {Editor}s and have some metadata attached in the form
-# of a {StringMarker}.
+# of a {Marker}.
 module.exports =
 class Cursor
   Emitter.includeInto(this)
diff --git a/src/deserializer-manager.coffee b/src/deserializer-manager.coffee
index 6bcc332ce..60df24b0a 100644
--- a/src/deserializer-manager.coffee
+++ b/src/deserializer-manager.coffee
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-{TelepathicObject, Model} = require 'telepath'
-
 # Public: Manages the deserializers used for serialized state
 #
 # Should be accessed via `atom.deserializers`
@@ -12,12 +10,10 @@ class DeserializerManager
   # Public: Register the given class(es) as deserializers.
   add: (klasses...) ->
     @deserializers[klass.name] = klass for klass in klasses
-    @environment?.registerRepresentationClasses(klasses...)
 
   # Public: Add a deferred deserializer for the given class name.
   addDeferred: (name, fn) ->
     @deferredDeserializers[name] = fn
-    @environment?.registerDeferredRepresentationClass(name, fn)
 
   # Public: Remove the given class(es) as deserializers.
   remove: (klasses...) ->
@@ -26,13 +22,10 @@ class DeserializerManager
   # Public: Deserialize the state and params.
   deserialize: (state, params) ->
     return unless state?
-    return state unless state.constructor is Object or state instanceof TelepathicObject
 
     if deserializer = @get(state)
       stateVersion = state.get?('version') ? state.version
       return if deserializer.version? and deserializer.version isnt stateVersion
-      if (state instanceof TelepathicObject) and not deserializer.acceptsDocuments
-        state = state.toObject()
       deserializer.deserialize(state, params)
     else
       console.warn "No deserializer found for", state
diff --git a/src/display-buffer-marker.coffee b/src/display-buffer-marker.coffee
index 1420cadbc..05f5d67b3 100644
--- a/src/display-buffer-marker.coffee
+++ b/src/display-buffer-marker.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 {Emitter, Subscriber} = require 'emissary'
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class DisplayBufferMarker
   # Modifies the screen range of the display marker.
   #
   # screenRange - The new {Range} to use
-  # options - A hash of options matching those found in {StringMarker.setRange}
+  # options - A hash of options matching those found in {Marker.setRange}
   setScreenRange: (screenRange, options) ->
     @setBufferRange(@displayBuffer.bufferRangeForScreenRange(screenRange), options)
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class DisplayBufferMarker
   # Modifies the buffer range of the display marker.
   #
   # screenRange - The new {Range} to use
-  # options - A hash of options matching those found in {StringMarker.setRange}
+  # options - A hash of options matching those found in {Marker.setRange}
   setBufferRange: (bufferRange, options) ->
     @bufferMarker.setRange(bufferRange, options)
 
@@ -140,19 +140,10 @@ class DisplayBufferMarker
   # Returns a {Boolean} indicating whether the marker has been destroyed. A marker
   # can be invalid without being destroyed, in which case undoing the invalidating
   # operation would restore the marker. Once a marker is destroyed by calling
-  # {StringMarker.destroy}, no undo/redo operation can ever bring it back.
+  # {Marker.destroy}, no undo/redo operation can ever bring it back.
   isDestroyed: ->
     @bufferMarker.isDestroyed()
 
-  getOriginSiteId: ->
-    @bufferMarker.getOriginSiteId()
-
-  isLocal: ->
-    @bufferMarker.isLocal()
-
-  isRemote: ->
-    @bufferMarker.isRemote()
-
   getAttributes: ->
     @bufferMarker.getAttributes()
 
@@ -160,7 +151,7 @@ class DisplayBufferMarker
     @bufferMarker.setAttributes(attributes)
 
   matchesAttributes: (attributes) ->
-    attributes = @displayBuffer.translateToStringMarkerAttributes(attributes)
+    attributes = @displayBuffer.translateToBufferMarkerAttributes(attributes)
     @bufferMarker.matchesAttributes(attributes)
 
   # Destroys the marker
diff --git a/src/display-buffer.coffee b/src/display-buffer.coffee
index 2dca4dea6..a7904fcad 100644
--- a/src/display-buffer.coffee
+++ b/src/display-buffer.coffee
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 {Emitter, Subscriber} = require 'emissary'
 guid = require 'guid'
-{Model, Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
+{Model} = require 'theorist'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 TokenizedBuffer = require './tokenized-buffer'
 RowMap = require './row-map'
 Fold = require './fold'
@@ -12,28 +14,18 @@ ConfigObserver = require './config-observer'
 # Private:
 module.exports =
 class DisplayBuffer extends Model
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
   _.extend @prototype, ConfigObserver
 
   @properties
-    tokenizedBuffer: null
-    softWrap: -> atom.config.get('editor.softWrap') ? false
+    softWrap: null
     editorWidthInChars: null
 
-  constructor: ->
+  constructor: ({tabLength, @editorWidthInChars, @tokenizedBuffer, buffer}={}) ->
     super
-    @deserializing = @state?
-
-  created: ->
-    if @deserializing
-      @deserializing = false
-      return
-
-    if @tokenizedBuffer?
-      @tokenizedBuffer?.created()
-    else
-      @tokenizedBuffer = new TokenizedBuffer({@tabLength, @buffer, project: atom.project})
+    @softWrap ?= atom.config.get('editor.softWrap') ? false
+    @tokenizedBuffer ?= new TokenizedBuffer({tabLength, buffer})
     @buffer = @tokenizedBuffer.buffer
-
     @markers = {}
     @foldsByMarkerId = {}
     @updateAllScreenLines()
@@ -43,10 +35,9 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
     @subscribe @buffer, 'markers-updated', @handleBufferMarkersUpdated
     @subscribe @buffer, 'marker-created', @handleBufferMarkerCreated
 
-    @subscribe @state, 'changed', ({newValues}) =>
-      if newValues.softWrap?
-        @emit 'soft-wrap-changed', newValues.softWrap
-        @updateWrappedScreenLines()
+    @subscribe @$softWrap, 'value', (softWrap) =>
+      @emit 'soft-wrap-changed', softWrap
+      @updateWrappedScreenLines()
 
     @observeConfig 'editor.preferredLineLength', callNow: false, =>
       @updateWrappedScreenLines() if @softWrap and atom.config.get('editor.softWrapAtPreferredLineLength')
@@ -54,8 +45,18 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
     @observeConfig 'editor.softWrapAtPreferredLineLength', callNow: false, =>
       @updateWrappedScreenLines() if @softWrap
 
+  serializeParams: ->
+    id: @id
+    softWrap: @softWrap
+    editorWidthInChars: @editorWidthInChars
+    tokenizedBuffer: @tokenizedBuffer.serialize()
+
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.tokenizedBuffer = TokenizedBuffer.deserialize(params.tokenizedBuffer)
+    params
+
   copy: ->
-    newDisplayBuffer = atom.create(new DisplayBuffer({@buffer, tabLength: @getTabLength()}))
+    newDisplayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({@buffer, tabLength: @getTabLength()})
     for marker in @findMarkers(displayBufferId: @id)
       marker.copy(displayBufferId: newDisplayBuffer.id)
     newDisplayBuffer
@@ -468,7 +469,7 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
   # Constructs a new marker at the given screen range.
   #
   # range - The marker {Range} (representing the distance between the head and tail)
-  # options - Options to pass to the {StringMarker} constructor
+  # options - Options to pass to the {Marker} constructor
   #
   # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
   markScreenRange: (args...) ->
@@ -478,7 +479,7 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
   # Constructs a new marker at the given buffer range.
   #
   # range - The marker {Range} (representing the distance between the head and tail)
-  # options - Options to pass to the {StringMarker} constructor
+  # options - Options to pass to the {Marker} constructor
   #
   # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
   markBufferRange: (args...) ->
@@ -487,7 +488,7 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
   # Constructs a new marker at the given screen position.
   #
   # range - The marker {Range} (representing the distance between the head and tail)
-  # options - Options to pass to the {StringMarker} constructor
+  # options - Options to pass to the {Marker} constructor
   #
   # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
   markScreenPosition: (screenPosition, options) ->
@@ -496,7 +497,7 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
   # Constructs a new marker at the given buffer position.
   #
   # range - The marker {Range} (representing the distance between the head and tail)
-  # options - Options to pass to the {StringMarker} constructor
+  # options - Options to pass to the {Marker} constructor
   #
   # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
   markBufferPosition: (bufferPosition, options) ->
@@ -526,10 +527,10 @@ class DisplayBuffer extends Model
   #
   # Returns an {Array} of {DisplayBufferMarker}s
   findMarkers: (attributes) ->
-    attributes = @translateToStringMarkerAttributes(attributes)
+    attributes = @translateToBufferMarkerAttributes(attributes)
     @buffer.findMarkers(attributes).map (stringMarker) => @getMarker(stringMarker.id)
 
-  translateToStringMarkerAttributes: (attributes) ->
+  translateToBufferMarkerAttributes: (attributes) ->
     stringMarkerAttributes = {}
     for key, value of attributes
       switch key
diff --git a/src/editor-view.coffee b/src/editor-view.coffee
index d11ddb4cc..9c51a5554 100644
--- a/src/editor-view.coffee
+++ b/src/editor-view.coffee
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {View, $, $$$} = require './space-pen-extensions'
 TextBuffer = require './text-buffer'
 Gutter = require './gutter'
-{Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 Editor = require './editor'
 CursorView = require './cursor-view'
 SelectionView = require './selection-view'
@@ -105,12 +105,12 @@ class EditorView extends View
     if editor?
       @edit(editor)
     else if @mini
-      @edit(atom.create(new Editor
-        buffer: atom.create(new TextBuffer)
+      @edit(new Editor
+        buffer: new TextBuffer
         softWrap: false
         tabLength: 2
         softTabs: true
-      ))
+      )
     else
       throw new Error("Must supply an Editor or mini: true")
 
@@ -1217,8 +1217,8 @@ class EditorView extends View
     @scrollTop(editorScrollTop)
     @scrollLeft(editorScrollLeft)
     @setSoftWrap(@editor.getSoftWrap())
-    @newCursors = @editor.getAllCursors()
-    @newSelections = @editor.getAllSelections()
+    @newCursors = @editor.getCursors()
+    @newSelections = @editor.getSelections()
     @updateDisplay(suppressAutoScroll: true)
 
   requestDisplayUpdate: ->
diff --git a/src/editor.coffee b/src/editor.coffee
index 24be86dfe..cff06ddfc 100644
--- a/src/editor.coffee
+++ b/src/editor.coffee
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 path = require 'path'
-{Model, Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
+{Model} = require 'theorist'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 LanguageMode = require './language-mode'
 DisplayBuffer = require './display-buffer'
 Cursor = require './cursor'
@@ -27,17 +29,12 @@ TextMateScopeSelector = require('first-mate').ScopeSelector
 #   atom.workspaceView.eachEditorView (editorView) ->
 #     editorView.insertText('Hello World')
 # ```
-#
-# ## Collaboration builtin
-#
-# FIXME: Describe how there are both local and remote cursors and selections and
-# why that is.
 module.exports =
 class Editor extends Model
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
+  atom.deserializers.add(this)
 
   @properties
-    displayBuffer: null
-    softTabs: null
     scrollTop: 0
     scrollLeft: 0
 
@@ -47,33 +44,18 @@ class Editor extends Model
   buffer: null
   languageMode: null
   cursors: null
-  remoteCursors: null
   selections: null
-  remoteSelections: null
   suppressSelectionMerging: false
 
-  constructor: ->
+  constructor: ({@softTabs, initialLine, tabLength, softWrap, @displayBuffer, buffer, registerEditor, suppressCursorCreation}) ->
     super
-    @deserializing = @state?
-
-  created: ->
-    if @deserializing
-      @deserializing = false
-      @callDisplayBufferCreatedHook = true
-      @registerEditor = true
-      return
 
     @cursors = []
-    @remoteCursors = []
     @selections = []
-    @remoteSelections = []
 
-    unless @displayBuffer?
-      @displayBuffer = new DisplayBuffer({@buffer, @tabLength, @softWrap})
-      @softTabs = @buffer.usesSoftTabs() ? @softTabs ? atom.config.get('editor.softTabs') ? true
-
-    @displayBuffer.created() if @callDisplayBufferCreatedHook
+    @displayBuffer ?= new DisplayBuffer({buffer, tabLength, softWrap})
     @buffer = @displayBuffer.buffer
+    @softTabs = @buffer.usesSoftTabs() ? @softTabs ? atom.config.get('editor.softTabs') ? true
 
     for marker in @findMarkers(@getSelectionMarkerAttributes())
       marker.setAttributes(preserveFolds: true)
@@ -82,11 +64,11 @@ class Editor extends Model
     @subscribeToBuffer()
     @subscribeToDisplayBuffer()
 
-    if @getCursors().length is 0 and not @suppressCursorCreation
-      if @initialLine
-        position = [@initialLine, 0]
+    if @getCursors().length is 0 and not suppressCursorCreation
+      if initialLine
+        position = [initialLine, 0]
       else
-        position = _.last(@getRemoteCursors())?.getBufferPosition() ? [0, 0]
+        position = [0, 0]
       @addCursorAtBufferPosition(position)
 
     @languageMode = new LanguageMode(this, @buffer.getExtension())
@@ -94,10 +76,19 @@ class Editor extends Model
     @subscribe @$scrollTop, 'value', (scrollTop) => @emit 'scroll-top-changed', scrollTop
     @subscribe @$scrollLeft, 'value', (scrollLeft) => @emit 'scroll-left-changed', scrollLeft
 
-    atom.project.addEditor(this) if @registerEditor
+    atom.project.addEditor(this) if registerEditor
 
-  # Deprecated: The goal is a world where we don't call serialize explicitly
-  serialize: -> this
+  serializeParams: ->
+    id: @id
+    softTabs: @softTabs
+    scrollTop: @scrollTop
+    scrollLeft: @scrollLeft
+    displayBuffer: @displayBuffer.serialize()
+
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.displayBuffer = DisplayBuffer.deserialize(params.displayBuffer)
+    params.registerEditor = true
+    params
 
   # Private:
   subscribeToBuffer: ->
@@ -133,15 +124,13 @@ class Editor extends Model
     @displayBuffer.destroy()
     @languageMode.destroy()
     atom.project?.removeEditor(this)
-    @emit 'destroyed'
-    @off()
 
   # Private: Creates an {Editor} with the same initial state
   copy: ->
     tabLength = @getTabLength()
     displayBuffer = @displayBuffer.copy()
     softTabs = @getSoftTabs()
-    newEditor = @create(new Editor({@buffer, displayBuffer, tabLength, softTabs, suppressCursorCreation: true}))
+    newEditor = new Editor({@buffer, displayBuffer, tabLength, softTabs, suppressCursorCreation: true})
     newEditor.setScrollTop(@getScrollTop())
     newEditor.setScrollLeft(@getScrollLeft())
     for marker in @findMarkers(editorId: @id)
@@ -823,11 +812,6 @@ class Editor extends Model
   hasMultipleCursors: ->
     @getCursors().length > 1
 
-  # Public: Returns an Array of all {Cursor}s, including cursors representing
-  # remote users.
-  getAllCursors: ->
-    @getCursors().concat(@getRemoteCursors())
-
   # Public: Returns an Array of all local {Cursor}s.
   getCursors: -> new Array(@cursors...)
 
@@ -835,9 +819,6 @@ class Editor extends Model
   getCursor: ->
     _.last(@cursors)
 
-  # Public: Returns an Array of all remove {Cursor}s.
-  getRemoteCursors: -> new Array(@remoteCursors...)
-
   # Public: Adds and returns a cursor at the given screen position.
   addCursorAtScreenPosition: (screenPosition) ->
     @markScreenPosition(screenPosition, @getSelectionMarkerAttributes())
@@ -852,10 +833,7 @@ class Editor extends Model
   # position.
   addCursor: (marker) ->
     cursor = new Cursor(editor: this, marker: marker)
-    if marker.isLocal()
-      @cursors.push(cursor)
-    else
-      @remoteCursors.push(cursor)
+    @cursors.push(cursor)
     @emit 'cursor-added', cursor
     cursor
 
@@ -876,12 +854,7 @@ class Editor extends Model
       @destroyFoldsIntersectingBufferRange(marker.getBufferRange())
     cursor = @addCursor(marker)
     selection = new Selection(_.extend({editor: this, marker, cursor}, options))
-
-    if marker.isLocal()
-      @selections.push(selection)
-    else
-      @remoteSelections.push(selection)
-
+    @selections.push(selection)
     selectionBufferRange = selection.getBufferRange()
     @mergeIntersectingSelections()
     if selection.destroyed
@@ -939,10 +912,7 @@ class Editor extends Model
   #
   # * selection - The {Selection} to remove.
   removeSelection: (selection) ->
-    if selection.isLocal()
-      _.remove(@selections, selection)
-    else
-      _.remove(@remoteSelections, selection)
+    _.remove(@selections, selection)
 
   # Public: Clears every selection.
   #
@@ -962,10 +932,6 @@ class Editor extends Model
     else
       false
 
-  # Public: Returns all selections, including remote selections.
-  getAllSelections: ->
-    @getSelections().concat(@getRemoteSelections())
-
   # Public: Gets all local selections.
   #
   # Returns an {Array} of {Selection}s.
@@ -980,21 +946,12 @@ class Editor extends Model
   getLastSelection: ->
     _.last(@selections)
 
-  # Public: Returns all remote selections.
-  getRemoteSelections: -> new Array(@remoteSelections...)
-
   # Public: Gets all local selections, ordered by their position in the buffer.
   #
   # Returns an {Array} of {Selection}s.
   getSelectionsOrderedByBufferPosition: ->
     @getSelections().sort (a, b) -> a.compare(b)
 
-  # Public: Gets all remote selections, ordered by their position in the buffer.
-  #
-  # Returns an {Array} of {Selection}s.
-  getRemoteSelectionsOrderedByBufferPosition: ->
-    @getRemoteSelections().sort (a, b) -> a.compare(b)
-
   # Public: Gets the very last local selection in the buffer.
   #
   # Returns a {Selection}.
@@ -1064,12 +1021,6 @@ class Editor extends Model
   getSelectedBufferRanges: ->
     selection.getBufferRange() for selection in @getSelectionsOrderedByBufferPosition()
 
-  # Public: Gets an Array of buffer {Range}s of all the remote {Selection}s.
-  #
-  # Sorted by their position in the file itself.
-  getRemoteSelectedBufferRanges: ->
-    selection.getBufferRange() for selection in @getRemoteSelectionsOrderedByBufferPosition()
-
   # Public: Returns the selected text of the most recently added local {Selection}.
   getSelectedText: ->
     @getLastSelection().getText()
diff --git a/src/fold.coffee b/src/fold.coffee
index 07ce988ec..32de3f988 100644
--- a/src/fold.coffee
+++ b/src/fold.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 
 # Private: Represents a fold that collapses multiple buffer lines into a single
 # line on the screen.
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class Fold
   getBufferRange: ({includeNewline}={}) ->
     range = @marker.getRange()
     if includeNewline
+      range = range.copy()
       range.end.row++
       range.end.column = 0
     range
diff --git a/src/git.coffee b/src/git.coffee
index 0137a6b6d..a88d0618f 100644
--- a/src/git.coffee
+++ b/src/git.coffee
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class Git
         @refreshStatus()
 
     if @project?
-      @subscribe @project.buffers.onEach (buffer) => @subscribeToBuffer(buffer)
+      @subscribe @project.eachBuffer (buffer) => @subscribeToBuffer(buffer)
 
   # Private: Subscribes to buffer events.
   subscribeToBuffer: (buffer) ->
diff --git a/src/gutter.coffee b/src/gutter.coffee
index 710200473..7b7ee15a1 100644
--- a/src/gutter.coffee
+++ b/src/gutter.coffee
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {View, $, $$, $$$} = require './space-pen-extensions'
-{Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 
 # Private: Represents the portion of the {EditorView} containing row numbers.
diff --git a/src/language-mode.coffee b/src/language-mode.coffee
index 2da82e8dc..426526185 100644
--- a/src/language-mode.coffee
+++ b/src/language-mode.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 {OnigRegExp} = require 'oniguruma'
 {Emitter, Subscriber} = require 'emissary'
diff --git a/src/pane-axis.coffee b/src/pane-axis.coffee
index f8ed436a3..e256c58be 100644
--- a/src/pane-axis.coffee
+++ b/src/pane-axis.coffee
@@ -1,39 +1,26 @@
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
 {$, View} = require './space-pen-extensions'
-{TelepathicObject} = require 'telepath'
 
 ### Internal ###
 module.exports =
 class PaneAxis extends View
-  @acceptsDocuments: true
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
 
-  @deserialize: (state) ->
-    new this(state)
+  initialize: ({children}={}) ->
+    @addChild(child) for child in children ? []
 
-  initialize: (args...) ->
-    if args[0] instanceof TelepathicObject
-      @state = args[0]
-      @state.get('children').each (child, index) =>
-        @addChild(atom.deserializers.deserialize(child), index, updateState: false)
-    else
-      @state = atom.create(deserializer: @className(), children: [])
-      @addChild(child) for child in args
+  serializeParams: ->
+    children: @children().views().map (child) -> child.serialize()
 
-    @state.get('children').on 'changed', ({index, insertedValues, removedValues, siteId}) =>
-      return if siteId is @state.siteId
-      for childState in removedValues
-        @removeChild(@children(":eq(#{index})").view(), updateState: false)
-      for childState, i in insertedValues
-        @addChild(atom.deserializers.deserialize(childState), index + i, updateState: false)
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.children = params.children.map (childState) -> atom.deserializers.deserialize(childState)
+    params
 
-  addChild: (child, index=@children().length, options={}) ->
+  addChild: (child, index=@children().length) ->
     @insertAt(index, child)
-    state = child.getState()
-    @state.get('children').insert(index, state) if options.updateState ? true
     @getContainer()?.adjustPaneDimensions()
 
-  removeChild: (child, options={}) ->
-    options.updateState ?= true
-
+  removeChild: (child) ->
     parent = @parent().view()
     container = @getContainer()
     childWasInactive = not child.isActive?()
@@ -54,11 +41,10 @@ class PaneAxis extends View
       if parent.setRoot?
         parent.setRoot(sibling, suppressPaneItemChangeEvents: childWasInactive)
       else
-        parent.insertChildBefore(this, sibling, options)
-        parent.removeChild(this, options)
+        parent.insertChildBefore(this, sibling)
+        parent.removeChild(this)
       sibling.focus() if siblingFocused
     else
-      @state.get('children').remove(@indexOf(child)) if options.updateState
       primitiveRemove(child)
 
     container.adjustPaneDimensions()
@@ -66,7 +52,6 @@ class PaneAxis extends View
     container.trigger 'pane:removed', [child] if child instanceof Pane
 
   detachChild: (child) ->
-    @state.get('children').remove(@indexOf(child))
     child.detach()
 
   getContainer: ->
@@ -78,25 +63,11 @@ class PaneAxis extends View
   getActivePane: ->
     @find('.pane.active').view() ? @find('.pane:first').view()
 
-  insertChildBefore: (child, newChild, options={}) ->
+  insertChildBefore: (child, newChild) ->
     newChild.insertBefore(child)
-    if options.updateState ? true
-      children = @state.get('children')
-      childIndex = children.indexOf(child.getState())
-      children.insert(childIndex, newChild.getState())
 
   insertChildAfter: (child, newChild) ->
     newChild.insertAfter(child)
-    children = @state.get('children')
-    childIndex = children.indexOf(child.getState())
-    children.insert(childIndex + 1, newChild.getState())
-
-  serialize: ->
-    state = @state.clone()
-    state.set('children', child.serialize() for child in @children().views())
-    state
-
-  getState: -> @state
 
   horizontalChildUnits: ->
     $(child).view().horizontalGridUnits() for child in @children()
diff --git a/src/pane-container.coffee b/src/pane-container.coffee
index 97818aef7..4ecda8359 100644
--- a/src/pane-container.coffee
+++ b/src/pane-container.coffee
@@ -1,37 +1,18 @@
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
 {$, View} = require './space-pen-extensions'
 Pane = require './pane'
-{TelepathicObject} = require 'telepath'
 
 # Private: Manages the list of panes within a {WorkspaceView}
 module.exports =
 class PaneContainer extends View
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
   atom.deserializers.add(this)
 
-  ### Internal ###
-  @acceptsDocuments: true
-
-  @deserialize: (state) ->
-    container = new PaneContainer(state)
-    container.removeEmptyPanes()
-    container
-
   @content: ->
     @div class: 'panes'
 
-  initialize: (state) ->
-    if state instanceof TelepathicObject
-      @state = state
-      @setRoot(atom.deserializers.deserialize(@state.get('root')))
-    else
-      @state = atom.create(deserializer: 'PaneContainer')
-
-    @subscribe @state, 'changed', ({newValues, siteId}) =>
-      return if siteId is @state.siteId
-      if newValues.hasOwnProperty('root')
-        if rootState = newValues.root
-          @setRoot(deserialize(rootState))
-        else
-          @setRoot(null)
+  initialize: ({root}={}) ->
+    @setRoot(root)
 
     @subscribe this, 'pane:attached', (event, pane) =>
       @triggerActiveItemChange() if @getActivePane() is pane
@@ -48,12 +29,12 @@ class PaneContainer extends View
   triggerActiveItemChange: ->
     @trigger 'pane-container:active-pane-item-changed', [@getActivePaneItem()]
 
-  serialize: ->
-    state = @state.clone()
-    state.set('root', @getRoot()?.serialize())
-    state
+  serializeParams: ->
+    root: @getRoot()?.serialize()
 
-  getState: -> @state
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.root = atom.deserializers.deserialize(params.root)
+    params
 
   ### Public ###
 
@@ -95,7 +76,6 @@ class PaneContainer extends View
     if root?
       @append(root)
       root.makeActive?()
-    @state.set(root: root?.getState())
 
   removeChild: (child) ->
     throw new Error("Removing non-existant child") unless @getRoot() is child
diff --git a/src/pane.coffee b/src/pane.coffee
index 3e2fb8643..d976a95f0 100644
--- a/src/pane.coffee
+++ b/src/pane.coffee
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 {dirname} = require 'path'
 {$, View} = require './space-pen-extensions'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
-{TelepathicObject} = require 'telepath'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
+
 PaneRow = require './pane-row'
 PaneColumn = require './pane-column'
 
@@ -13,51 +14,31 @@ PaneColumn = require './pane-column'
 # building a package that deals with switching between panes or tiems.
 module.exports =
 class Pane extends View
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
 
-  @acceptsDocuments: true
+  @version: 1
 
   @content: (wrappedView) ->
     @div class: 'pane', tabindex: -1, =>
       @div class: 'item-views', outlet: 'itemViews'
 
-  @deserialize: (state) ->
-    pane = new Pane(state)
-    pane.focusOnAttach = true if state.get('focused')
-    pane
-
   activeItem: null
   items: null
   viewsByItem: null      # Views without a setModel() method are stored here
 
   # Private:
   initialize: (args...) ->
-    @items = []
-    if args[0] instanceof TelepathicObject
-      @state = args[0]
-      @items = _.compact(@state.get('items').getValues())
-      item?.created?() for item in @getItems()
+    if args[0]?.items # deserializing
+      {@items, activeItemUri, @focusOnAttach} = args[0]
     else
       @items = args
-      @state = atom.create
-        deserializer: 'Pane'
-        items: @items
+
+    @items ?= []
 
     @handleItemEvents(item) for item in @items
 
-    @subscribe @state.get('items'), 'changed', ({index, removedValues, insertedValues, siteId}) =>
-      return if siteId is @state.siteId
-      for item in removedValues
-        @removeItemAtIndex(index, updateState: false)
-      for item, i in insertedValues
-        @addItem(itemState, index + i, updateState: false)
-
-    @subscribe @state, 'changed', ({newValues, siteId}) =>
-      return if siteId is @state.siteId
-      if newValues.activeItemUri
-        @showItemForUri(newValues.activeItemUri)
-
     @viewsByItem = new WeakMap()
-    activeItemUri = @state.get('activeItemUri')
+
     unless activeItemUri? and @showItemForUri(activeItemUri)
       @showItem(@items[0]) if @items.length > 0
 
@@ -84,6 +65,15 @@ class Pane extends View
     @on 'focus', => @activeView?.focus(); false
     @on 'focusin', => @makeActive()
 
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.items = _.compact(params.items.map (itemState) -> atom.deserializers.deserialize(itemState))
+    params
+
+  serializeParams: ->
+    items: _.compact(@items.map (item) -> item.serialize?())
+    focusOnAttach: @is(':has(:focus)')
+    activeItemUri: @getActivePaneItem()?.getUri?()
+
   # Private:
   afterAttach: (onDom) ->
     if @focusOnAttach and onDom
@@ -173,17 +163,14 @@ class Pane extends View
     @activeView = view
     @trigger 'pane:active-item-changed', [item]
 
-    @state.set('activeItemUri', item.getUri?())
-
   # Private:
   activeItemTitleChanged: =>
     @trigger 'pane:active-item-title-changed'
 
   # Public: Add an additional item at the specified index.
-  addItem: (item, index=@getActiveItemIndex()+1, options={}) ->
+  addItem: (item, index=@getActiveItemIndex() + 1) ->
     return if _.include(@items, item)
 
-    @state.get('items').splice(index, 0, item) if options.updateState ? true
     @items.splice(index, 0, item)
     @trigger 'pane:item-added', [item, index]
     @handleItemEvents(item)
@@ -191,8 +178,7 @@ class Pane extends View
 
   handleItemEvents: (item) ->
     if _.isFunction(item.on)
-      @subscribe item, 'destroyed', =>
-        @destroyItem(item, updateState: false) if @state.isAlive()
+      @subscribe item, 'destroyed', => @destroyItem(item)
 
   # Public: Remove the currently active item.
   destroyActiveItem: =>
@@ -268,17 +254,16 @@ class Pane extends View
     @saveItem(item) for item in @getItems()
 
   # Public:
-  removeItem: (item, options) ->
+  removeItem: (item) ->
     index = @items.indexOf(item)
-    @removeItemAtIndex(index, options) if index >= 0
+    @removeItemAtIndex(index) if index >= 0
 
   # Public: Just remove the item at the given index.
-  removeItemAtIndex: (index, options={}) ->
+  removeItemAtIndex: (index) ->
     item = @items[index]
     @activeItem.off? 'title-changed', @activeItemTitleChanged if item is @activeItem
     @showNextItem() if item is @activeItem and @items.length > 1
     _.remove(@items, item)
-    @state.get('items').splice(index, 1) if options.updateState ? true
     @cleanupItemView(item)
     @trigger 'pane:item-removed', [item, index]
 
@@ -287,14 +272,13 @@ class Pane extends View
     oldIndex = @items.indexOf(item)
     @items.splice(oldIndex, 1)
     @items.splice(newIndex, 0, item)
-    @state.get('items').insert(newIndex, item)
     @trigger 'pane:item-moved', [item, newIndex]
 
   # Public: Moves the given item to another pane.
   moveItemToPane: (item, pane, index) ->
     @isMovingItem = true
     pane.addItem(item, index)
-    @removeItem(item, updateState: false)
+    @removeItem(item)
     @isMovingItem = false
 
   # Public: Finds the first item that matches the given uri.
@@ -330,7 +314,7 @@ class Pane extends View
       else if @isMovingItem and viewToRemove?.setModel
         viewToRemove.setModel(null) # dont want to destroy the model, so set to null
 
-      @parent().view().removeChild(this, updateState: false)
+      @parent().view().removeChild(this)
 
   # Private:
   viewForItem: (item) ->
@@ -348,16 +332,6 @@ class Pane extends View
   viewForActiveItem: ->
     @viewForItem(@activeItem)
 
-  # Private:
-  serialize: ->
-    state = @state.clone()
-    state.set('items', @items)
-    state.set('focused', @is(':has(:focus)'))
-    state
-
-  # Private:
-  getState: -> @state
-
   # Private:
   adjustDimensions: -> # do nothing
 
diff --git a/src/project.coffee b/src/project.coffee
index 49effe0bb..7a32a933e 100644
--- a/src/project.coffee
+++ b/src/project.coffee
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@ url = require 'url'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 fs = require 'fs-plus'
 Q = require 'q'
-{Model} = require 'telepath'
+{Model} = require 'theorist'
+{Emitter, Subscriber} = require 'emissary'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
 
 TextBuffer = require './text-buffer'
 Editor = require './editor'
@@ -18,10 +20,8 @@ Git = require './git'
 # of directories and files that you can operate on.
 module.exports =
 class Project extends Model
-
-  @properties
-    buffers: []
-    path: null
+  atom.deserializers.add(this)
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
 
   # Public: Find the local path for the given repository URL.
   @pathForRepositoryUrl: (repoUrl) ->
@@ -29,18 +29,23 @@ class Project extends Model
     repoName = repoName.replace(/\.git$/, '')
     path.join(atom.config.get('core.projectHome'), repoName)
 
-  # Private: Called by telepath.
-  created: ->
-    for buffer in @buffers.getValues()
-      buffer.once 'destroyed', (buffer) => @removeBuffer(buffer) if @isAlive()
+  constructor: ({path, @buffers}={}) ->
+    @buffers ?= []
+    for buffer in @buffers
+      do (buffer) =>
+        buffer.once 'destroyed', => @removeBuffer(buffer)
 
     @openers = []
     @editors = []
-    @setPath(@path)
+    @setPath(path)
 
-  # Private: Called by telepath.
-  willBePersisted: ->
-    @destroyUnretainedBuffers()
+  serializeParams: ->
+    path: @path
+    buffers: _.compact(@buffers.map (buffer) -> buffer.serialize() if buffer.isRetained())
+
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.buffers = params.buffers.map (bufferState) -> atom.deserializers.deserialize(bufferState)
+    params
 
   # Public: Register an opener for project files.
   #
@@ -177,7 +182,7 @@ class Project extends Model
   #
   # Returns an {Array} of {TextBuffer}s.
   getBuffers: ->
-    new Array(@buffers.getValues()...)
+    @buffers.slice()
 
   # Private: Is the buffer for the given path modified?
   isPathModified: (filePath) ->
@@ -185,7 +190,7 @@ class Project extends Model
 
   # Private:
   findBufferForPath: (filePath) ->
-   _.find @buffers.getValues(), (buffer) -> buffer.getPath() == filePath
+   _.find @buffers, (buffer) -> buffer.getPath() == filePath
 
   # Private: Only to be used in specs
   bufferForPathSync: (filePath) ->
@@ -233,11 +238,12 @@ class Project extends Model
   # Private:
   addBuffer: (buffer, options={}) ->
     @addBufferAtIndex(buffer, @buffers.length, options)
+    buffer.once 'destroyed', => @removeBuffer(buffer)
 
   # Private:
   addBufferAtIndex: (buffer, index, options={}) ->
-    buffer = @buffers.insert(index, buffer)
-    buffer.once 'destroyed', => @removeBuffer(buffer) if @isAlive()
+    @buffers.splice(index, 0, buffer)
+    buffer.once 'destroyed', => @removeBuffer(buffer)
     @emit 'buffer-created', buffer
     buffer
 
@@ -285,7 +291,7 @@ class Project extends Model
       task.on 'scan:paths-searched', (numberOfPathsSearched) ->
         options.onPathsSearched(numberOfPathsSearched)
 
-    for buffer in @buffers.getValues() when buffer.isModified()
+    for buffer in @getBuffers() when buffer.isModified()
       filePath = buffer.getPath()
       matches = []
       buffer.scan regex, (match) -> matches.push match
@@ -306,7 +312,7 @@ class Project extends Model
   replace: (regex, replacementText, filePaths, iterator) ->
     deferred = Q.defer()
 
-    openPaths = (buffer.getPath() for buffer in @buffers.getValues())
+    openPaths = (buffer.getPath() for buffer in @getBuffers())
     outOfProcessPaths = _.difference(filePaths, openPaths)
 
     inProcessFinished = !openPaths.length
@@ -324,7 +330,7 @@ class Project extends Model
 
       task.on 'replace:path-replaced', iterator
 
-    for buffer in @buffers.getValues()
+    for buffer in @getBuffers()
       continue unless buffer.getPath() in filePaths
       replacements = buffer.replace(regex, replacementText, iterator)
       iterator({filePath: buffer.getPath(), replacements}) if replacements
@@ -336,7 +342,7 @@ class Project extends Model
 
   # Private:
   buildEditorForBuffer: (buffer, editorOptions) ->
-    editor = @create(new Editor(_.extend({buffer}, editorOptions)))
+    editor = new Editor(_.extend({buffer}, editorOptions))
     @addEditor(editor)
     editor
 
diff --git a/src/selection-view.coffee b/src/selection-view.coffee
index 6dc301bab..beea12f47 100644
--- a/src/selection-view.coffee
+++ b/src/selection-view.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 {View, $$} = require './space-pen-extensions'
 
 # Internal:
@@ -18,9 +18,6 @@ class SelectionView extends View
       @needsRemoval = true
       @editorView.requestDisplayUpdate()
 
-    if @selection.marker.isRemote()
-      @addClass("site-#{@selection.marker.getOriginSiteId()}")
-
   updateDisplay: ->
     @clearRegions()
     range = @getScreenRange()
diff --git a/src/selection.coffee b/src/selection.coffee
index 343c55179..fa5078b67 100644
--- a/src/selection.coffee
+++ b/src/selection.coffee
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Range} = require 'text-buffer'
 {Emitter} = require 'emissary'
 {pick} = require 'underscore-plus'
 
@@ -601,14 +601,6 @@ class Selection
   compare: (otherSelection) ->
     @getBufferRange().compare(otherSelection.getBufferRange())
 
-  # Public: Returns true if it was locally created.
-  isLocal: ->
-    @marker.isLocal()
-
-  # Public: Returns true if it was created remotely.
-  isRemote: ->
-    @marker.isRemote()
-
   # Private:
   screenRangeChanged: ->
     screenRange = @getScreenRange()
diff --git a/src/site-shim.coffee b/src/site-shim.coffee
deleted file mode 100644
index 0f1751a01..000000000
--- a/src/site-shim.coffee
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-# Private: TODO remove once telepath upgrades are complete.
-module.exports =
-class SiteShim
-  constructor: (@environment) ->
-    {@id} = @environment.state.siteId
-
-  createDocument: (values) ->
-    @environment.create(values)
diff --git a/src/text-buffer.coffee b/src/text-buffer.coffee
index 8ea770bcc..f988975b6 100644
--- a/src/text-buffer.coffee
+++ b/src/text-buffer.coffee
@@ -2,24 +2,24 @@ _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 diff = require 'diff'
 Q = require 'q'
 {P} = require 'scandal'
-telepath = require 'telepath'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
+TextBufferCore = require 'text-buffer'
+{Point, Range} = TextBufferCore
+{Subscriber, Emitter} = require 'emissary'
 
 File = require './file'
 
-{Point, Range} = telepath
-
 # Private: Represents the contents of a file.
 #
 # The `TextBuffer` is often associated with a {File}. However, this is not always
 # the case, as a `TextBuffer` could be an unsaved chunk of text.
 module.exports =
-class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
-  @properties
-    text: -> new telepath.String('', replicated: false)
-    filePath: null
-    relativePath: null
-    modifiedWhenLastPersisted: false
-    digestWhenLastPersisted: null
+class TextBuffer extends TextBufferCore
+  atom.deserializers.add(this)
+
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
+  Subscriber.includeInto(this)
+  Emitter.includeInto(this)
 
   stoppedChangingDelay: 300
   stoppedChangingTimeout: null
@@ -29,28 +29,32 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
   file: null
   refcount: 0
 
-  constructor: ->
+  constructor: ({filePath, @modifiedWhenLastPersisted, @digestWhenLastPersisted, loadWhenAttached}={}) ->
     super
-
-    @loadWhenAttached = @getState()?
-
-  # Private: Called by telepath.
-  created: ->
     @loaded = false
+    @modifiedWhenLastPersisted ?= false
+
     @useSerializedText = @modifiedWhenLastPersisted != false
 
-    @subscribe @text, 'changed', @handleTextChange
-    @subscribe @text, 'marker-created', (marker) => @emit 'marker-created', marker
-    @subscribe @text, 'markers-updated', => @emit 'markers-updated'
+    @subscribe this, 'changed', @handleTextChange
 
-    @setPath(@filePath)
+    @setPath(filePath)
 
-    @load() if @loadWhenAttached
+    @load() if loadWhenAttached
 
-  # Private: Called by telepath.
-  willBePersisted: ->
-    @modifiedWhenLastPersisted = @isModified()
-    @digestWhenLastPersisted = @file?.getDigest()
+  # Private:
+  serializeParams: ->
+    params = super
+    _.extend params,
+      filePath: @getPath()
+      modifiedWhenLastPersisted: @isModified()
+      digestWhenLastPersisted: @file?.getDigest()
+
+  # Private:
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params = super(params)
+    params.loadWhenAttached = true
+    params
 
   loadSync: ->
     @updateCachedDiskContentsSync()
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
         @emitModifiedStatusChanged(true)
       else
         @reload()
-      @text.clearUndoStack()
+      @clearUndoStack()
     this
 
   ### Internal ###
@@ -74,16 +78,19 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
   handleTextChange: (event) =>
     @cachedMemoryContents = null
     @conflict = false if @conflict and !@isModified()
-    bufferChangeEvent = _.pick(event, 'oldRange', 'newRange', 'oldText', 'newText')
-    @emit 'changed', bufferChangeEvent
     @scheduleModifiedEvents()
 
-  destroyed: ->
-    unless @alreadyDestroyed
+  destroy: ->
+    unless @destroyed
       @cancelStoppedChangingTimeout()
       @file?.off()
       @unsubscribe()
-      @alreadyDestroyed = true
+      @destroyed = true
+      @emit 'destroyed'
+
+  isAlive: -> not @destroyed
+
+  isDestroyed: -> @destroyed
 
   isRetained: -> @refcount > 0
 
@@ -255,50 +262,12 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
     lastRow = @getLastRow()
     new Range([0, 0], [lastRow, @lineLengthForRow(lastRow)])
 
-  # Given a range, returns the lines of text within it.
-  #
-  # range - A {Range} object specifying your points of interest
-  #
-  # Returns a {String} of the combined lines.
-  getTextInRange: (range) ->
-    @text.getTextInRange(@clipRange(range))
-
-  # Gets all the lines in a file.
-  #
-  # Returns an {Array} of {String}s.
-  getLines: ->
-    @text.getLines()
-
-  # Given a row, returns the line of text.
-  #
-  # row - A {Number} indicating the row.
-  #
-  # Returns a {String}.
-  lineForRow: (row) ->
-    @text.lineForRow(row)
-
-  # Given a row, returns its line ending.
-  #
-  # row - A {Number} indicating the row.
-  #
-  # Returns a {String}, or `undefined` if `row` is the final row.
-  lineEndingForRow: (row) ->
-    @text.lineEndingForRow(row)
-
   suggestedLineEndingForRow: (row) ->
     if row is @getLastRow()
       @lineEndingForRow(row - 1)
     else
       @lineEndingForRow(row)
 
-  # Given a row, returns the length of the line of text.
-  #
-  # row - A {Number} indicating the row.
-  #
-  # Returns a {Number}.
-  lineLengthForRow: (row) ->
-    @text.lineLengthForRow(row)
-
   # Given a row, returns the length of the line ending
   #
   # row - A {Number} indicating the row.
@@ -320,18 +289,6 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
     else
       new Range([row, 0], [row, @lineLengthForRow(row)])
 
-  # Gets the number of lines in a file.
-  #
-  # Returns a {Number}.
-  getLineCount: ->
-    @text.getLineCount()
-
-  # Gets the row number of the last line.
-  #
-  # Returns a {Number}.
-  getLastRow: ->
-    @getLineCount() - 1
-
   # Finds the last line in the current buffer.
   #
   # Returns a {String}.
@@ -345,12 +302,6 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
     lastRow = @getLastRow()
     new Point(lastRow, @lineLengthForRow(lastRow))
 
-  characterIndexForPosition: (position) ->
-    @text.indexForPoint(@clipPosition(position))
-
-  positionForCharacterIndex: (index) ->
-    @text.pointForIndex(index)
-
   # Given a row, this deletes it from the buffer.
   #
   # row - A {Number} representing the row to delete
@@ -394,35 +345,6 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
   delete: (range) ->
     @change(range, '')
 
-  # Given a position, this clips it to a real position.
-  #
-  # For example, if `position`'s row exceeds the row count of the buffer,
-  # or if its column goes beyond a line's length, this "sanitizes" the value
-  # to a real position.
-  #
-  # Returns the new, clipped {Point}. Note that this could be the same as `position` if no clipping was performed.
-  clipPosition: (position) ->
-    @text.clipPosition(position)
-
-  # Given a range, this clips it to a real range.
-  #
-  # For example, if `range`'s row exceeds the row count of the buffer,
-  # or if its column goes beyond a line's length, this "sanitizes" the value
-  # to a real range.
-  #
-  # range - The {Range} to clip
-  #
-  # Returns the new, clipped {Range}. Note that this could be the same as `range` if no clipping was performed.
-  clipRange: (range) ->
-    range = Range.fromObject(range)
-    new Range(@clipPosition(range.start), @clipPosition(range.end))
-
-  undo: ->
-    @text.undo()
-
-  redo: ->
-    @text.redo()
-
   # Saves the buffer.
   save: ->
     @saveAs(@getPath()) if @isModified()
@@ -458,67 +380,14 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
   # Returns a {Boolean}.
   isInConflict: -> @conflict
 
-  # Identifies if a buffer is empty.
-  #
-  # Returns a {Boolean}.
-  isEmpty: -> @text.isEmpty()
-
-  # Returns all valid {StringMarker}s on the buffer.
-  getMarkers: ->
-    @text.getMarkers()
-
-  # Returns the {StringMarker} with the given id.
-  getMarker: (id) ->
-    @text.getMarker(id)
-
   destroyMarker: (id) ->
     @getMarker(id)?.destroy()
 
-  # Public: Finds the first marker satisfying the given attributes
-  #
-  # Returns a {String} marker-identifier
-  findMarker: (attributes) ->
-    @text.findMarker(attributes)
-
-  # Public: Finds all markers satisfying the given attributes
-  #
-  # attributes - The attributes against which to compare the markers' attributes
-  #   There are some reserved keys that match against derived marker properties:
-  #   startRow - The row at which the marker starts
-  #   endRow - The row at which the marker ends
-  #
-  # Returns an {Array} of {StringMarker}s
-  findMarkers: (attributes) ->
-    @text.findMarkers(attributes)
-
   # Retrieves the quantity of markers in a buffer.
   #
   # Returns a {Number}.
   getMarkerCount: ->
-    @text.getMarkers().length
-
-  # Constructs a new marker at a given range.
-  #
-  # range - The marker {Range} (representing the distance between the head and tail)
-  # attributes - An optional hash of serializable attributes
-  #   Any attributes you pass will be associated with the marker and can be retrieved
-  #   or used in marker queries.
-  #   The following attribute keys reserved, and control the marker's initial range
-  #   isReversed - if `true`, the marker is reversed; that is, its head precedes the tail
-  #   hasTail - if `false`, the marker is created without a tail
-  #
-  # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
-  markRange: (range, options={}) ->
-    @text.markRange(range, options)
-
-  # Constructs a new marker at a given position.
-  #
-  # position - The marker {Point}; there won't be a tail
-  # options - Options to pass to the {StringMarker} constructor
-  #
-  # Returns a {Number} representing the new marker's ID.
-  markPosition: (position, options) ->
-    @text.markPosition(position, options)
+    @getMarkers().length
 
   # Identifies if a character sequence is within a certain range.
   #
@@ -677,18 +546,10 @@ class TextBuffer extends telepath.Model
 
   ### Internal ###
 
-  transact: (fn) -> @text.transact fn
-
-  beginTransaction: -> @text.beginTransaction()
-
-  commitTransaction: -> @text.commitTransaction()
-
-  abortTransaction: -> @text.abortTransaction()
-
   change: (oldRange, newText, options={}) ->
     oldRange = @clipRange(oldRange)
     newText = @normalizeLineEndings(oldRange.start.row, newText) if options.normalizeLineEndings ? true
-    @text.setTextInRange(oldRange, newText, options)
+    @setTextInRange(oldRange, newText, options)
 
   normalizeLineEndings: (startRow, text) ->
     if lineEnding = @suggestedLineEndingForRow(startRow)
diff --git a/src/tokenized-buffer.coffee b/src/tokenized-buffer.coffee
index ac3cf01b9..bb28a708e 100644
--- a/src/tokenized-buffer.coffee
+++ b/src/tokenized-buffer.coffee
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
-{Model, Point, Range} = require 'telepath'
+{Model} = require 'theorist'
+{Point, Range} = require 'text-buffer'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
 TokenizedLine = require './tokenized-line'
 Token = require './token'
 
@@ -7,10 +9,9 @@ Token = require './token'
 
 module.exports =
 class TokenizedBuffer extends Model
-  @properties
-    bufferPath: null
-    tabLength: -> atom.config.get('editor.tabLength') ? 2
-    project: null
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
+
+  @property 'tabLength'
 
   grammar: null
   currentGrammarScore: null
@@ -20,19 +21,8 @@ class TokenizedBuffer extends Model
   invalidRows: null
   visible: false
 
-  constructor: ->
-    super
-    @deserializing = @state?
-
-  created: ->
-    if @deserializing
-      @deserializing = false
-      return
-
-    if @buffer? and @buffer.isAlive()
-      @bufferPath = @buffer.getPath()
-    else
-      @buffer = @project.bufferForPathSync(@bufferPath)
+  constructor: ({@buffer, @tabLength}) ->
+    @tabLength ?= atom.config.get('editor.tabLength') ? 2
 
     @subscribe atom.syntax, 'grammar-added grammar-updated', (grammar) =>
       if grammar.injectionSelector?
@@ -56,12 +46,13 @@ class TokenizedBuffer extends Model
 
     @reloadGrammar()
 
-  # TODO: Remove when everything is a telepath model
-  destroy: ->
-    @destroyed()
+  serializeParams: ->
+    bufferPath: @buffer.getPath()
+    tabLength: @tabLength
 
-  destroyed: ->
-    @unsubscribe()
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.buffer = atom.project.bufferForPathSync(params.bufferPath)
+    params
 
   setGrammar: (grammar, score) ->
     return if grammar is @grammar
diff --git a/src/workspace-view.coffee b/src/workspace-view.coffee
index a8f5f15ad..e13dab341 100644
--- a/src/workspace-view.coffee
+++ b/src/workspace-view.coffee
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Q = require 'q'
 {$, $$, View} = require './space-pen-extensions'
 _ = require 'underscore-plus'
 fs = require 'fs-plus'
-{TelepathicObject} = require 'telepath'
+Serializable = require 'serializable'
 EditorView = require './editor-view'
 Pane = require './pane'
 PaneColumn = require './pane-column'
@@ -38,9 +38,10 @@ Editor = require './editor'
 #
 module.exports =
 class WorkspaceView extends View
+  Serializable.includeInto(this)
   atom.deserializers.add(this, Pane, PaneRow, PaneColumn, EditorView)
 
-  @version: 1
+  @version: 2
 
   @configDefaults:
     ignoredNames: [".git", ".svn", ".DS_Store"]
@@ -50,31 +51,16 @@ class WorkspaceView extends View
     projectHome: path.join(fs.getHomeDirectory(), 'github')
     audioBeep: true
 
-  @acceptsDocuments: true
-
   # Private:
-  @content: (state) ->
+  @content: ->
     @div class: 'workspace', tabindex: -1, =>
       @div class: 'horizontal', outlet: 'horizontal', =>
         @div class: 'vertical', outlet: 'vertical', =>
           @div class: 'panes', outlet: 'panes'
 
   # Private:
-  @deserialize: (state) ->
-    new WorkspaceView(state)
-
-  # Private:
-  initialize: (state={}) ->
-    if state instanceof TelepathicObject
-      @state = state
-      panes = atom.deserializers.deserialize(state.get('panes'))
-    else
-      panes = new PaneContainer
-      @state = atom.create
-        deserializer: @constructor.name
-        version: @constructor.version
-        panes: panes.getState()
-
+  initialize: ({panes, @fullScreen}={}) ->
+    panes ?= new PaneContainer
     @panes.replaceWith(panes)
     @panes = panes
 
@@ -131,14 +117,14 @@ class WorkspaceView extends View
     @command 'core:save-as', => @saveActivePaneItemAs()
 
   # Private:
-  serialize: ->
-    state = @state.clone()
-    state.set('panes', @panes.serialize())
-    state.set('fullScreen', atom.isFullScreen())
-    state
+  deserializeParams: (params) ->
+    params.panes = atom.deserializers.deserialize(params.panes)
+    params
 
   # Private:
-  getState: -> @state
+  serializeParams: ->
+    panes: @panes.serialize()
+    fullScreen: atom.isFullScreen()
 
   # Private:
   handleFocus: (e) ->